Home Cars 10 Ultra-Rare Muscle Cars You’ve Probably Never Seen – Less Than 100 Made!

Cars

10 Ultra-Rare Muscle Cars You’ve Probably Never Seen – Less Than 100 Made!

Vukasin Herbez June 6, 2025

Choosing a truly rare muscle car means hunting down models so scarce that spotting one today feels like striking gold. Below are ten legendary American muscle cars, each produced in fewer than 100 examples. From all-aluminum racing engines to open-top Hemi convertibles, these machines combined earth-shaking power with extreme exclusivity—delivering heart-pounding acceleration and collectibility. Buckle up as we explore ten ultra-rare muscle cars, each packing enough thrust to leave any onlooker awestruck.

1. 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 (2 Made)

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Zl1 4 — Photo Credit: Mecum

Chevrolet’s 1969 Corvette ZL1 was essentially a race car in street clothes. Under its hood, an all-aluminum 427-cubic-inch V8—sourced directly from Chevy’s Top Fuel dragsters—delivered a conservative 430 horsepower rating on paper, but in practice output hovered closer to 550 hp at the crank. Bolted to a beefy M22 “rock crusher” four-speed, this Corvette rocketed to 60 mph in around four seconds—astonishing for the era.

Only 2 examples were built, making the ZL1 an instant legend. Its lightweight engine block and aggressive camshaft gave the Corvette blistering throttle response, ensuring that any twist of the gas pedal launched it down the quarter mile with authority.

NEXT >>

2. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 (20 Made)

1967 Chevrolet L88 Corvette Stingray Convertible 6 — Photo Credit: Mecum

Widely regarded as one of the greatest factory racing Corvettes ever, the 1967 L88 wore a seemingly mild 430-horsepower badge, but its true potential lay well north of that figure. Its 427-cubic-inch V8 featured cement-lined block castings, high-lift solid-lifter camshaft, and aluminum heads with massive 2.19-inch intake valves.

Dyno tests routinely uncovered nearly 560 hp, while a 12.5:1 compression ratio demanded high-octane fuel. Mated to a close-ratio four-speed and heavy-duty suspension, the L88 jumped to 60 mph in roughly 4.5 seconds. With just 20 built, the L88 remains one of the rarest and most potent Corvettes ever, earning a permanent place in muscle-car lore.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

3. 1965 Shelby GT350R (34 Made)

In 1965, Carroll Shelby tuned the Mustang into the GT350R—a race-ready machine designed to dominate SCCA competition. Starting with a high-revving 289-cubic-inch V8, Shelby’s team added high-performance camshafts, free-flowing headers, and a Holley four-barrel carburetor, pushing output to around 350 horsepower. Lightweight aluminum components, fiberglass doors, and a stripped-down interior shaved precious pounds, enabling a 0-60 mph time in the low six-second range.

The GT350R’s competition suspension, front disc brakes, and side-exit exhausts delivered uncompromising track performance. With only 34 produced, these GT350Rs became instant icons—combining Shelby’s racing expertise with raw, unfiltered muscle.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

4. 1967 COPO 427 Camaro (69 Made)

14. 1967 Chevrolet Yenko Super Camaro 04 Qicjie — Photo Credit: GM Authority

Chevy’s Central Office Production Order (COPO) program allowed customers to shoehorn the monstrous 427-cubic-inch big-block into a lightweight Camaro. The hand-assembled 427 V8—fitted with tri-power carburetors—cranked out approximately 425 horsepower and a gut-wrenching 460 lb-ft of torque.

1967 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko 7 — Photo Credit: Mecum

Bolted to a four-speed M21 manual, the COPO Camaro blasted through the quarter mile in the low 12-second range at over 115 mph. Though the COPO process could have yielded several hundred units, Chevrolet deliberately capped production at 69 to preserve its racing legality, cementing the 427 COPO Camaro as one of the rarest and fastest muscle cars of its era.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

5. 1968 Dodge Dart GTS HEMI (18 Made)

1968 Dodge Dart 426 Hemi — Photo Credit: Hot Rod

Dodge’s 1968 Dart GTS HEMI brought the legendary 426-cubic-inch “Elephant” engine to a compact platform. Rated at 425 gross horsepower and a monstrous 490 lb-ft of torque, the HEMI V8 launched the Dart GTS to 60 mph in under six seconds—impressive for a car weighing less than 3,400 pounds.

Enhanced suspension with heavy-duty leaf springs in the rear and torsion bars up front tamed the immense torque, while a Dana 60 rear end handled the power. With only 18 hand-assembled examples built, the Dart GTS HEMI achieved instant mythical status—its combination of lightweight agility and HEMI firepower unmatched in 1968.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

6. 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible (10 Made)

Pontiac’s GTO Judge Ram Air IV convertible reigns as one of the most coveted open-air thoroughbreds. Powered by a 400-cubic-inch Ram Air IV V8 featuring high-flow aluminum heads and an 800-cfm four-barrel carburetor, it delivered a healthy 370 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque.

With a four-speed manual, the Judge convertible erupted from 0-60 mph in about six seconds and covered the quarter mile in the low 13s. Sporting its trademark “The Judge” graphics, three-speed Hurst shifter, and high-rise dual exhaust manifolds, only ten Ram Air IV convertibles rolled off the line—making each an open-top missile revered by collectors.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

7. 1970 Dodge Challenger 426 HEMI Convertible (34 Made)

1970 Dodge Challenger Rt Convertible. Mecum 1.jpg — Photo Credit: Pinterest

The 1970 Challenger 426 HEMI convertible combined Mopar’s legendary big-block thrust with topless freedom. Under its functional dual scoop hood reposed a 426-cubic-inch HEMI V8 rated at 425 gross horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. A heavy-duty Torqueflite three-speed automatic sent that force to the rear wheels, rocketing the 4,100-pound convertible to 60 mph in under 6.5 seconds.

This 1970 Dodge Challenger Is Literally A Fast And Furious Car 20 — Photo Credit: Hot Cars

Bulging fender flares and a ram-air induction system hinted at its ferocity, while the reinforced chassis preserved stability under hard launches. With just 34 built, the HEMI Challenger convertible remains one of Mopar’s rarest muscle legends, delivering unlimited horsepower with the wind in your hair.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

8. 1970 Plymouth GTX HEMI Convertible (52 Made)

Sothebys 1969 Plymouth Gtx Convertible Hemi Engine 1 — Photo Credit: Top Speed

Plymouth’s 1970 GTX HEMI convertible offered similar big-block thunder to its Dodge sibling but with unique Plymouth flair. Its 426-cubic-inch HEMI V8—rated at 425 gross horsepower—sent 490 lb-ft of bone-shaking torque through a heavy-duty three-speed Torqueflite.

This 1969 Plymouth Gtx Has Two Features That Make It Super Rare 232839 1 — Photo Credit: Autoevolution

Despite tipping the scales north of 4,000 pounds, the GTX HEMI convertible sprinted to 60 mph in roughly 6.7 seconds—astonishing for a car of its size. Standard goodies included an HEMI-tuned suspension, ram-air hood scoop, and bucket seats with a center console. With just 52 assembled, this open-air HEMI weapon ranks as one of Plymouth’s rarest and most powerful collectible muscle cars.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

9. 1969 Yenko Camaro SC (54 Made)

1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko Recreation — Photo Credit: Mecum

When Don Yenko’s Yenko Chevrolet dealerships sought to outshine factory COPO Camaros, they offered the Yenko Camaro SC (Super Car). With Yenko-built 427-cubic-inch L72 V8s—tuned to 425 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque—these Camaros sprinted to 60 mph in roughly six seconds. Yenko added reinforced suspension, upgraded cooling, and bold Yenko decals to differentiate them from stock SS models.

1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro 161123659559dbffa01d666625f3d509159242c7e86f6b991cabad63eec — Photo Credit: Mecum

Strapped to a Muncie four-speed manual, each SC delivered track-ready performance in a street-legal package. Though originally slated for 200 builds, only 54 cleared final inspection—making the Yenko Camaro SC a racing-bred rarity that remains highly coveted by collectors.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

10. 1969 Yenko Chevelle (54 Made)

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Yenko 4 — Photo Credit: AMCM

Expanding his performance empire, Don Yenko also created a limited run of 1969 Chevelle Yenko S/S models. Each hosted a 427-cubic-inch L72 V8, courtesy of Yenko’s conversion, producing 425 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque—launching the Chevelle to 60 mph in well under six seconds. Yenko mandated heavy-duty suspension and a solid rear axle with a 4.10:1 ratio for maximum traction, while distinctive Yenko striping and “Yenko/SC” badging set them apart.

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle — Photo Credit: Coyote Classics

With just 54 examples built—mirroring the Camaro SC’s low production—these Chevelle Yenko S/S cars became instant legends, offering Chevy’s big-block roar in a mid-size package that could devour both drag strips and back roads alike.

<< Previous